Letters to Editor 18 Sept
Whitebait season again, but how many more?
Whitebait season again; nothing like a fresh whitebait sandwich, delicious!
It was with dismay that I read a paragraph in The Nelson Mail from DOC scientists saying that native fish species will be endangered due to water quality, loss of habitat and unsustainable fishing practices. I do believe that the water quality and loss of habitat issues are starting to be addressed with the help of farmers, particularly in the Aorere catchment.
Surely the easiest one to fix is the unsustainable fishing practices, but once again DOC don’t seem to be interested. The time to act is now before it is too late, so come on DOC, get on with it. A ban on traps and screens would be a good place to start immediately without a five-year phasing in period either. If something doesn’t happen, there will be no whitebaiting for anyone. The next generation will be the losers.
Tony Cottle
Response from John Mason, DOC Golden Bay area manager: The size of whitebait runs depends on a range of factors such as the survival of whitebait larvae out at sea, the quality and quantity of adult habitat, the survival of spawned whitebait eggs, and the catch taken by whitebaiters. The department does not currently have plans to change the whitebait regulations to ban traps and nets. Whitebaiters can help sustain the fishery by complying with the whitebait regulations which are designed to help conserve stocks and allow enough fish to escape and breed. Community efforts, such as those of the Aorere Catchment Group, to improve water quality and protect fish habitat by fencing and planting streams are commendable. This should provide long-term benefits for both fish and recreational users of our waterways.
Ed. See our whitebaiting survey.
Timely interventions
Periodically the Village Theatre staff receive complaints about the behaviour of teenagers whilst a movie is screening on a Friday.
Friday is the day on which we particularly try to cater for the teenage audience. If you wish to attend a movie on a Friday, please be aware that the audience is likely to contain a high proportion of young people.
We believe that a balance needs to be reached between teenagers being themselves at Friday screenings, and disruptive behaviour that intrudes on others enjoyment of the movie (including the enjoyment of other teenagers).
The staff cannot be in the auditorium for the entire movie, so may be unaware of specific bad behaviour. If you are annoyed by unacceptable behaviour, please inform the staff at the time, so that they can deal with it. Timely intervention not only deals with the immediate problem, but sends a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated. It helps neither you nor us if we are only informed after the movie has finished - we cannot deal with it effectively, and the whole of your movie may have been spoilt.
We wish everyone a pleasant movie experience.
Sarah Kay, Village Theatre manager
Birds return to lower Clifton
Thanks to the extensive native tree plantings by the Geens and ourselves, tuis, bellbirds and pigeons, amongst other native birds, have arrived onto properties bordering the road to the Takaka Golf Club. The sound is glorious. Stand quietly beside the Geens’ property across the road from the estuary and you see fernbirds.
There is also an unexplained phenomenon this year. Thousands of starlings arrive each dusk to chatter madly, then settle down for the night. They fly off in large black clouds at dawn. Anyone know why?
Robin Robilliard
Five stars for Takaka Primary School
Last night I was entertained by the faultless performance of Starblaze by the Takaka Primary School pupils. The singing was great and enthusiastic. All lines were delivered with confidence. Costumes and scenery were vivid and interesting and the audience and performers thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Congratulations to all involved. I’m already looking forward to your next play, whenever that may be.
Karen Brookes
Going to a primary school play conjured up all kinds of emotions, except the one that we actually experienced at Takaka Primary School’s production of Starblaze. What a magical evening and such a joyous celebration of the fresh enthusiasm and talents of children. Kudos and a big thank you to all the students, teachers and volunteers, especially director Melinda Machin, who gave their utmost of time and energy to create such a delightful piece!
Bruce and Inna Dooley
Bravo and a huge thank you to the children in the brilliant performance of Starblaze. If you didn’t get to it, you missed out on an exceptionally well-performed, choreographed and sung production by about 100 of our most charming young citizens. The magnificent job of director Melinda Machin and her team to bring together and direct with such happiness is remarkable. And that the entire audience clapped in rhythm as each and every student took their bow was great fun! If you want some good tonic in your life, be looking for future plays!
Spring Ursula Thomas
Unusual event at Rangihaeata
Last week while driving along Rangihaeata Road towards town, I noticed two adult spur-winged plovers standing on the road one on either side of the midline.
I pipped my horn to make them fly off but they didn’t. Instead they both began to walk towards me with their wings slowly extending sideways. I stopped and the bird on my side of the road was standing only five metres away, calling raucously, with wings fully extended with the white undersides facing me. It was at this point that I noticed a tiny black blob in the centre of the road a few metres further on; it stood up on spindly legs and walked slowly to the grass at the side of the road. Only then did both adult birds lower their wings and walk to the side, allowing me to pass!
I have never seen this happen before.
Arthur Pearson
Integrated health services
Nelson Marlborough DHB is supporting the integrated health services project as a way of ensuring the ongoing provision of the current range of health services in Golden Bay. We must continue to attract and retain the health professionals needed for residents and visitors to get the health services they need. As the Joan Whiting trustees have indicated, rest home services are unlikely to be available within Golden Bay unless integration proceeds.
Ultimately the DHB has responsibility for health service provision in the Nelson and Marlborough districts. We do not want to see the new integrated facility fall over and then try and pick up the pieces. This is why we are happy to be represented on the proposed trust with local members. We want to ensure that there is broad support from the Golden Bay community and that it is a community-led initiative.
The integrated service must be financially viable into the future, based on existing revenue streams. The DHB will not save any money from bringing the Golden Bay Community Hospital into integration. We are committed to continuing the same level of funding as the Community Hospital currently gets. We will invest the proceeds from the sale of the Community Hospital in the integrated service, subject to the approval on the Minister of Health.
Peter Burton, general manager
NMDHB Primary and Community Division
Money as Debt II
Bailouts, stimulus packages, debt piled upon debt. Where will it all end? How did we get into a situation where there has never been more material wealth and productivity and yet everyone is in debt to bankers? And now, abruptly, the bankers have no money and the taxpayers have to rescue them by going even further into debt!
In fact, a major obstacle for reaching consensus on local issues is that banks choose what to fund. We’re left paying compound interest-laden debt far into the future. Banks make costly loans for roading, not public transport; for 1080 poison, not hunting; for integrated health that excludes complementary care; for grand reticulated water and sewerage schemes, not site-specific localised water-recycling and humanure projects; and for overbuilt houses and ill-designed subdivisions, not low-impact eco-design.
Money as Debt II: Promises Unleashed is a 77-minute animated film that explores the fraudulent and destructive money system holding us hostage to a forever growing debt and how we might evolve beyond money as debt and into a new era.
The people through responsible government can create interest- and inflation-free money. Come learn and dialog on Sunday 27 September, 7:30pm, Community Centre. HANDS/Kiwi$ koha. More info: moneyasdebt.net
Ro Piekarski for Golden Bay MORE
(Money to Revitalise the Economy)
1080
I read with interest the letters regarding 1080. It’s apparently killed the birds, the deer, pigs and not many possums, contaminated water supplies in the Bay.
Jeff Winter, Bill Climo, Robert Jenkin, also anyone else that’s against a cost-effective proven pest control in finding a contaminated water supply, or bush with no birds, pigs, deer, after 1080 drops by AHB, DOC drops in the Bay.
The bird life and lack of possums I’ve seen is astounding in the very areas I myself laid and aerial-applied 1080 poison.
In the Abel Tasman two weeks ago we observed weka, pigeons, tomtits, tuis, bellbirds, sparrowhawks, harrier hawks, silvereyes, sparrows, blackbirds, thrush and hunters. The amount of deer and pig sign is colossal.
To finish off, has anyone noticed the return of the weka? In one month I’ve seen weka in the Cobb Valley, Cobb Ridge, lower Cobb Road, Cobb Dam, Totaranui, Wainui car park, Rameka Creek, Kaituna, Bainham, Heaphy Valley Road. As well as all other native and some not native birds. So can someone please explain how these birds, deer and pigs escaped the cruel death the Poisoning Paradise video by the Graff Brothers claims to inflict on these species?
Steven Graves
It was a beautiful blue-skied day when I was told the helicopters were out. A war on possums, but how many other casualties would fall? I felt worried but what could I do? I went to DOC.
Three things remained most clear in my mind after this visit. Firstly, the gentle and friendly treatment I received from several DOC staff. Thank you. Secondly, Greg Napp’s response to my question, “When is DOC’s estimated end of use date for 1080?” I was shocked to hear there is no specific date. Imagine the long-term impacts.
Finally, I was impressed by an entire page in DOC’s pro-1080 folder, dedicated to Mike Meads (outlining why his extensive studies on invertebrates were not published). Have you ever read a copy of the report by Mike Meads Effect of 1080 on non target invertebrates of Whitecliffs Conservation Area, Taranaki. June 1994? I have. Even my seven-year-old son can understand the importance of insects that break down leaf litter. Do you mulch your garden, use compost?
Thank you for your time and efforts, Mike Meads, unpublished but still read by some.
Jerrie Edwards
Our forests are being devastated by possums (and other introduced animals). We need to exterminate them as effectively as possible. Until someone comes up with a better method, 1080 is our only option.
The opponents to 1080 haven’t suggested any viable alternative. While ground-based methods can be used for the more accessible areas, the overwhelming majority of New Zealand bush is very remote, very steep, very rugged; it is a fantasy to suggest that ground-based methods can be used in areas such as these. 1080 is the only option.
Some claim that 1080 destroys the bird population. This is complete bollocks. While the odd bird might die from the 1080 drop, this is insignificant compared with the huge increase in the bird population as the forest regenerates. Any tramper who has been around long enough can tell you this, and it is backed up numerous studies. Why else do you think DOC is doing this?
Others are concerned about the cruel effects of 1080. It’s a pity that their concern for animal welfare is restricted to possums, stouts and rats. What about our native birds, who are dying as their habitat and food sources are being destroyed? Are people seriously suggesting that we do nothing and let our forests and bird-life be destroyed .... just to be nice to possums?
Phil Castle
How wonderful to see such spirited debate within these pages on this important subject. Would it not be helpful to have a Golden Bay referendum on the issue, so we could all get a chance to vote on whether we want to continue having poison raining on our heads?
As a draft question could I suggest:“1080 is a prohibited, illegal substance in virtually every developed nation on the planet because it is a dangerously toxic chemical. Would you like 1080 to continue to be dropped onto Golden Bay Community Board ward land and do you take personal legal and financial responsibility for any long term subsequent genetic and/or other effects on all insects, amphibians, birds, mammals, fish and every other living being and plant within this area? Please answer “Yes” or “No””
I note that the Fruitgrowers Chemical Company in Mapua did not warn TDC residents of the long term dangers of what they were doing or the cost of clearing up their mess. It might be sensible to be more prudent with future use of 1080 in the Golden Bay area.
Bruce Collings
Ed. Correspondence on 1080 is closed for now.
True representation
Thank you to the interim management group for publishing the names of the members. There certainly appears to be a wide cross section of the community involved. The GPs are well represented but I am saddened to see that missing from this group is a representative of the nursing profession.
As the largest group of health professionals affected by integration I assumed it would be vital to have at least one nurse representative to liaise with colleagues and feed back information to the IMG.
I am sure the IMG doesn’t have a deliberate policy of keeping nurses in the dark but failing to ensure some representation surely amounts to the same thing. I would be interested to hear what nurses feel about this.
Heather Cole
Amalgamation petition
It makes good sense to sign the petition at ITM or the Wholemeal to undertake a study for a better model of governance in our region.
I recently read a TDC staff report to approve council loan funding for the 2009/2010 year of $27,374,105. I was surprised to see it was to pay for repairs or work on roading, stormwater, refuse, water, waste water, coastal structures, property and rivers. I would have thought all this would be paid for by our rates contribution. Worse still, the TDC loan includes a motorsports feasibility cost of $310,500. Why? The Prime Minister is creating a national cycle trail to promote tourism and health to New Zealanders. I’m sure the GB Mountain Bike Club could make better use of $300,000. And another $1,032,100 for a learn-to-swim pool (ASB Aquatic Centre, Richmond). This money would go a long way to a heated pool in Golden Bay. For details on the report, it is buried on the TDC website or you can follow this link:
http://www.tdc.govt.nz/pdfs/RFN090903%20Loan%20Funding%20August%202009.pdf
Paddy Brennan
